PINA

The Papua New Guinea Government has reached a landmark achievement with the formal submission of its geographical co-ordinates under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This submission reaffirms PNG’s territorial boundaries and maritime zones, securing its economic and strategic interests. This development is particularly significant as PNG celebrates its 50th year of independence, marking almost five...

The Fiji coalition government has kept to its promise to ensure there is media freedom and its first step was to repeal the oppressive Media Industry Development Act. Acting Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad said the government also ended the business of exclusive government contracts to selected media companies. While opening the annual Pacific Media Partnership Conference (PMPC) in Suva Tuesday,...

Elizabeth Genia was appointed governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea despite fighting in court to block a police investigation into suspected money laundering. She has not been charged. The acting head of Papua New Guinea's central bank was the subject of a police investigation for suspected money laundering when she was permanently appointed to the position in early 2024,...

New Zealand expressed renewed concern on Monday about the Cook Islands' prime minister travelling to China this week to sign agreements without properly consulting with Wellington despite the two nations' constitutional ties. New Zealand has become increasingly cautious about China’s growing presence in the Pacific region and the potential threats it poses to the country’s national security. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon...

The Pacific Islands Forum in partnership with CROP agencies and key development partners, is facilitating a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) week from 10 to 14 February 2025 as a dedicated platform to strengthen gender equality and social inclusion across the Blue Pacific. This initiative also underscores the power of collaboration among CROP agencies, UN partners, and civil society...

While digital journalism is already being used by news outlets in Fiji, other Pacific islands have yet to adopt new methods for broadcasting their stories. Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation CEO, Johnson Honimae, said the region must adapt to the digital age while acknowledging the continued relevance of traditional media, especially radio. “We need to build, upskill our staff, either in our...

The outlook is anything but reassuring. By Alexandre Dayant The U.S aid freeze won’t break the Pacific, but it will create unnecessary disruptions. For Southeast Asia, the consequences are mixed, likely to hit Myanmar and Cambodia hardest, as well as those sectors more broadly across the region where U.S aid plays an important role, especially in support for civil society. President Donald...

ACT Brumbies forward Tom Hooper and the side are embracing their long-awaited first game in Fiji in preparation for a tough match against the Drua. Incredibly, Saturday's fixture in Suva will be the Brumbies' first in Fiji in Super Rugby Pacific, one of the last teams to make the trip to the island. In addition, it's the first time the Drua...

The Pacific region will not waver in its climate fight despite the United States' decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, says Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Sefanaia Nawadra. “Our Pacific leaders have time and time again stated that climate change represents the single greatest threat to our region. The U.S decision does...

Cook Islands’ agreement with China will not include any security aspects, Prime Minister Mark Brown assured Thursday. Brown, who is flying to China today with his delegation for a state visit from 10-14 February, will sign a Joint Action Plan for a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, “serving as a framework for engagement and a roadmap for collaboration in the years ahead”. In...